Buoyant garment



June 25, 1963 L. E. LERNER 3,094,724

BUOYANT GARMENT Filed Oct. 27, 1960 2 'Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToR. LOVIE E. LERNER BY ATTORNEY June 25, 1963 l.. E. LERNER 3,094,724

BUOYANT GARMENT Filed Oct. 27. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. y

LOVIE E. LERNER ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,094,724 BUQYANT GARMENT Lovie E. Lerner, 2107 E. Jackson St., Elkhart, Ind. Filed Oct. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 65,519 6 Claims. (Cl. 9 338) This invention relates to improvements in buoyant garments, and more particularly to garments useful by participants of water sports, such as boating, water skiing and bathing.

The invention constitutes an improvement upon my prior Patents No. 2,897,821, dated August 4, 1959, and No. 2,940,543, dated June 14, 1960.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a garment utilizing unicellular buoyant sheet material of substantially uniform thickness which, while lleXible in one direction, resists simultaneous exing in several directions as required to follow body contours.

A further object is to provide a device of this character utilizing unicellular buoyant material and employing sufcient material to insure a high protective value or high buoyancy and at the same time having an attractive appearance avoiding the impression of bulkiness by reason of its shape and its contour to lit the wearer.

A further object is to provide a garment of this character of novel shape and contour, fitting snugly upon the chest of a wearer and held in operative position by novel means insuring a reshaping or adjustment of the unit to the individual who wears it, so that a given unit may be worn by people of a larve range of sizes without experij encing either discomfort or objectionable character of t thereof.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specilication.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device as worn;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the device, substantially as worn but with the mounting straps unsecured;

FIG. 3 is an extended plan View of the device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional View, taken on line 5 5 of FIG. l;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an insert of buoyant material utilized in the device;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 7 7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. y8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 8 8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a rear plan View of the device similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a different adjustment of the device;

FIG. l0 is a plan View of the blank of buoyant material utilized to form the ller or insert illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 20v designates the buoyant body portion of the garment from which project a pair of shoulder straps 22 and a pair of wing portions 24 extending from opposite sides thereof and terminating in straps 26.

The body portion consists of a fabric sheath or envelope having an outer fabric layer '30, an inner fabric layer 32, and marginal stitching of the two at 34 to define an envelope within which is conned a buoyant ller, here shown as comprising two or more layers of unicellular sheet material, such as the layers 36 and 38. These two layers may be of the same or of different thicknesses, and the number of layers may be one or more than two, if desired. Where multiple layers are employed, they are preferably adhered in face contacting engagement.

The layers of unicellular buoyant material, which may be formed of vinyl resin or any other suitable material,

3,094,724 Patented June 25, 1963 ICC are preferably of uniform thickness in the range from oneeighth inch to one inch, and are of uniform consistency. The unicellular material may be of the vinyl type and one type of such material now available on the market is produced by 4the United States Rubber Company and is known as Ensolite Other materials `are available having the same properties, and it will be understood that Ensolite is mentioned as illustrative and is not intended to be limiting.

Each layer of buoyant material preferably is formed from a blank of the character illustrated in FIG. 10, having a central body portion 40, side portions 42, and upwardly extending wing portions 44. The central portion 4@ is preferably vertically elongated, having a substantially ilat upper edge and a contoured lower edge. 'Ihe wings 44 fare formed integrally with the sides 42, which in turn are formed integrally with the central panel 40'. The V-shaped cuts 46 serve to limit the connection between the side portions 42 and the central portion 40, said V-cuts being provided at both the upper and lower edges of the blank. The V-cuts are so shaped and proportioned and arranged that, when the edges thereof are adhered as illustrated at 48 in FIG. 6 by means of a suitable cement, the portions 40 and 42 are reshaped to generally concavo-convex configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4, said curvature occurring in both vertical and transverse directions, as seen in FIG. 4. The curvature will be such as to accommodate snug fitting `against the chest of a user, extending full width of the chest and preferably around the sides of the chest and partly under the arms, and also providing for substantially continuous engagement of the margin of the blank against the body of a wearer of the garment containing the filler.

The strap portions 44 preferably extend substantially parallel when the blank has been shaped as illustrated in FIG. 6 as compared to the initial divergent relation thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The shoulder strap portions 44 are of such a length as to extend across the shoulder of a wearer and will be encased Within portions of the fabric sheath 30, 32.

The shoulder str-aps 22 are of substantial length and extend longitudinally beyond the ends of the shoulder strap portions 44 of the buoyant material, `as best seen in FIG. 3. The straps 22 yare preferably formed of multiple thicknesses of fabric which may be stitched lengthwise thereof along the margins thereof in the manner well understood in the art. At the end portions the opposed parts of the fabric strap 22 are `stitched together only at transverse lines of stitching 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 fand 8 ladjacent the free ends of the straps 22 so yas to define in said straps :a plurality of loop portions or passage portions 52, for purposes to tbe described. A retainer loop 54, preferably formed of fabric, is adapted to t snugly and slidably upon the two straps 22 yat points thereof which said straps are adapted to intersect when the garment is worn, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 .and 9.

Side Wing portions 24 :are for-med of fabric and preferably are of tapered shape and project from the sides of the fabric sheath adjacent the portion thereof which is of greatest width. The tapered side wing portions 24 are of comparatively short length adapted to overlap when the `garment is worn, and the tapes 26 or straps which project from the free ends of the parts 24 are elongated and comparatively narrow. The sheath of the main body portion is provided with fabric loop portions 60 at its opposite side margins and lat its inner `face adjacent the lower portions of the wing parts 24, las best seen in FIG. 3, which is :an inner face view of the device in extended position. The loops 69 are Kadapted to slidably receive the strap portions' 26, the arrangement Abeing such that the guide at one side edge of the garment receives the strap 26 projecting from the opposite side or margin of the garment. The straps 26 also extend through one of the guide or loop portions 52 at the -free end of the shoulder strap 22 projecting from the opposite side of the garment. The straps or tapes 26 will be of sutlicient length so that the same may be folded to extend toward each other `and to pass through the loops 60 and their free ends may be secured together *at the back of the wearer by tying the same, by the use of snap fasteners or by :any other suitable means.

The garment provides a wide range of adjustability to permit it to t snugly upon individuals of a wide range of heights, weights and ages, so ias to reduce to a minimum the number of different sizes which must be offered to the public. It will be observed that the length of the shoulder str-ap is eiectively adjusted by selecting the loop portion 52 of each through which the strap portion 26 projecting at the side of the body extends. Two diierent adjustments are illustrated, that in FIG. 2 showing the greatest length of adjustment of length of the shoulder strap which is possible, and that in FIG. 9 showing a much shorter length of shoulder strap. Further adjustment of the shoulder straps to insure that the upper part of the garment lits snugly against the chest land -across the shoulders is provided by loop 54 which is slidable along the shoulder str-aps 22. Thus it will be observed that the loop 54 serves to draw the rear portion of the shoulder straps inwardly across the back of the wearer. The extent to which they may be drawn inwardly may vary according to the needs of the wea-rer. Thus, tfor a person requiring a long shoulder strap, guide loop 54 .may be positioned at a substantially lower level relative to the shoulders of the wearer, as illustrated in FlG. 2, than is the adjust-ment possible in case of short waisted individuals requiring a short shoulder stra-p wherein the loop S4 -rn'ay be adjusted upwardly to Ia maximum position substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The fit of the side marginal edges ofthe garment around the torso of the body is deter-mined by the pull or secured position of the ends of the straps 26. Likewise, the point fat which the loops 52 eng-age either the straps 25 or the ends of the tapered side portions 24 similarly serves to assist in control of the fit of the side margins of the garment upon the body. In this connection, it will be observed that the Iguide loops 60 are positioned 'at a level lower than the side wings 24 so that the position of the Lgarment upon the body at the sides is determined at two spaced points thereof.

The foregoing adjustments, coupled with the ifact that the buoyant body material is preshaped to concave-convex form, and the fact that said .material is flexible to at least a limited degree, insure lit of the garment in such a manner that it will maintain its desired position when worn regardless of the size of the wearer. This is irnportant from the standpoint of 1aesthetics and of greater importance froml the standpoint of safety since it insures that the buoyant factor of the garment will be properly located. Observe in this connection that the location of the buoyant filler across the chest and upwardly across the shoulders concentrates the lbuoyant material .in such a position as to tend to assist the positioning of a wearer in the water in such a way as to llhold the face out of 'water if the wearer should suier a coma, become unconscious or become panic stricken. ln other words, the location of the buoyant material upon the body will tend to .insure that, should a person wearing the `garment fall into deep water while boating or skiing, or become unconscious w-hile swimming, the buoyant material will cause the body to move in the water so as to position the buoyyant material uppermost and, in doing so, will tend to bold the head and face of the wearer uppermost and in a position to facilitate breathing.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be rnade within the scope iof the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A bathing garment comprising a preformed generally concavo-convex buoyant body portion, a pair o shoulder straps projecting from said body portion, a pair of straps projecting lfrom opposite sides of said body portion, loops at the end portions of said shoulder Straps each slidably receiving one of said side straps and a loop on each side of said body portion below the adjacent side strap, each of said last named loops receiving the side strap projecting Vfrom the opposite side of said body portion, said side straps being elongated for interconnection of their end portions at the .back of the wearer to apply a pull between said last named loops.

2. A bathing garment comprising a preformed configured buoyant body portion adapted to substantially tit the chest of a wearer, a pair of shoulder straps projecting from said body portion, a pair of elongated bodyembracing straps projecting from opposite sides of said body portion, loops at the end parts .of said shoulder straps each slidably receiving one of said side straps and a loop on each side of said body portion below the adjacent side strap, each of said last named loops receiving the side strap projecting from `the opposite side of said body portion, the ends of said side straps being connected at the back of the wearer, said body portion comprising a fabric sheath and a non-porous iiller of iiexible unicellular buoyant material.

3. A bathing garment comprising a buoyant body por tion, a pair of shoulder straps projecting from said body portion, a pair of elongated underarm straps projecting from opposite sides of said body portion, loops on the ends of said shoulder straps each slidably receiving one of said .side straps and a loop on each side of said body portion spaced vertically from the adjacent side strap, each of said last named loops -slidably receiving the side strap projecting from the opposite side of said body portion, the ends of said side straps being connected at the back of ythe wearer said body portion comprising a fabric sheath and a buoyant flexible filler of substantially uniform thickness and substantially concavo-convex curved form.

4. A bathing garment comprising a preformed contoured buoyant body portion, a pair of shoulder straps projecting from said body portion, a pair of under arm straps projecting from opposite sides of said body portion, loops on Ithe ends of said shoulder straps each slidably receiving one of said side straps and a loop on each side of said body portion spaced vertically from the adjacent side strap, each of said last named loops receiving the side strap projecting from the opposite side of said body portion, the ends of said side straps being connected at the back of the wearer said the buoyant body portion including elongated portions extending within said shoulder strap for a portion of the length thereof.

5. A bathing garment comprising a buoyant exible body member of predetermined concavo-convex form, elongated shoulder straps projecting from the upper part of said body member, elongated straps projecting from opposite sides of said body member, side-strap-receiving loops at opposite sides of the said body spaced from said side straps, and means slidably interconnecting the ends of said shoulder straps with said side straps, said shoulder straps including buoyant portions adjacent said body member .and extending for a portion of their length each side strap being of a length to extend across the back of a wearer to the opposite loop and thence centrally Lfor connection with the other side strap at the back of the wearer.

6. A bathing garment comprising a preformed contoured buoyant iiexible body member, elongated shoulder straps projecting from the upper part of said body member, elongated straps projecting from opposite sides of said body member, side-strap-receiving loops at opposite 5 sides of said body, and means slidably interconnecting the ends of said shoulder straps with said side straps, said side-strap-receiving loops being spaced below the side strap adjacent thereto said side lstr-aps being adapted lfor connection of their ends between said loops at the back 5 of the wearer of the garment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 550,171 Hatch Nov. 19, 1895 10 6 Recordon May 5, 1903 Zorn Oct. 7, 1924 Prescott Oct. 7, 1924 Abbott Oct. 27, 1925 Dreyfus July 9, 1929 Robertson Dec. 12, 1933 Quinn July 12, 1938 Nordling May 6, 1947 Erickson Feb. 18, 1958 Lerner Aug. 4, 1959 

6. A BATHING GARMENT COMPRISING A PREFORMED CONTOURED BUOYANT FLEXIBLE BODY MEMBER, ELONGATED SHOULDER STRAPS PROJECTING FROM THE UPPER PART OF SAID BODY MEMBER, ELONGATED STRAPS PROJECTING FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BODY MEMBER, SIDE-STRAP-RECEIVING LOOPS AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BODY, AND MEANS SLIDABLY INTERCONNECTING THE ENDS OF SAID SHOULDER STRAPS WITH SAID SIDE STRAPS, SAID SIDE-STRAP-RECEIVING LOOPS BEING SPACED BELOW THE SIDE STRAP ADJACENT THERETO SAID SIDE STRAPS BEING ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION OF THEIR ENDS BETWEEN SAID LOOPS AT THE BACK OF THE WEARER OF THE GARMENT. 